This truth was reflected in his continuous exchanges with workers in different sectors and the population, during his visits to the Jardines del Rey resort area, the Ceballos Agro-industrial Enterprise, and the La Cuba food processing company; in debates on the proposed new Constitution he attended; and during his tour of the capital’s downtown boulevard and the Hotel Rueda, while participating in its official opening with Minister of Tourism Manuel Marrero Cruz.

On the last day of his government visit, Díaz-Canel interacted with students and professors at the Raúl Corrales Fornos Pedagogical School, one of two such institutions in the province, with a student body of 522 young people being prepared to teach in early childhood, primary, and secondary education.

Here he held an animated conversation with several students, who shared their personal experiences with the President, including one whose parents resisted her decision to become a teacher, and who now works at the Raúl Corrales School; and a young teacher who said she was ready to leave the school, but after having direct contact with students, came to love the profession.

A mobile Youth Club computer lab made stops in 19 rural communities over the summer. Photo: Estudios Revolución
“This is evidence that shatters the view of those who think that youth are not interested in the teaching profession. We have seen here, through your stories, a palpable example of the social impact these educational centers have today,” Díaz-Canel stated.

Minutes later, he would tweet: “I was deeply moved sharing with professors and students at the #CiegoDeÁvila Pedagogical School. Beautiful life stories that expressed passion for #Cuba and commitment to the #RevoluciónCubana. #SomosCuba #SomosContinuidad.”

Next he moved to the city’s park, where a Wi-Fi internet connection is available, and parked was a van serving as a mobile Youth Club computer lab, which this summer made stops in 19 rural communities in all of the province’s municipalities – resources that contribute to the computerization of Cuban society.

He also visited a “recycled” playground, where the equipment was constructed using discarded materials including metal and non-metal parts, wooden elements, and old tires, showing just how much can be done when untapped potential like this is taken advantage of, he noted.

Near this area, the President dialogued with sugar industry workers, discussing the next harvest and the construction of a bioelectric generating plant at the Ciro Redondo Sugar Mill.

Later, he presided a final meeting devoted to evaluating progress being made in the implementation of development programs in Ciego de Ávila, along with First Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa; Roberto Morales Ojeda, a vice president of the Councils of State and Minister; Félix Duarte Ortega, Central Committee member and Party secretary in the province; and Raúl Pérez Carmenate, president of the provincial government, who reported on social and economic statistics related to progress in the province.

The first person to take the floor, following the report, was Minister of Economy and Planning Alejandro Gil Fernández, who focused on an issue that some may have considered insignificant: the surpassing of projected goals for earnings.

“It’s not a bad thing that you have earnings, especially if they are the result of an increase in productivity, but it’s good to make careful estimates and include this potential in the economic plan, to the benefit of the country and the enterprise itself.”

He likewise emphasized the necessity of increasing export lines, noting that the potential exists to do so, mentioning the Ceballos, Cubasoy, and La Cuba food processing companies, and the Turiguanó cattle breeder, all agriculture enterprises with excellent scientific and productive capacities.

Upon hearing the concerns of managers and workers from the Ceballos enterprise that they only receive 17 cents for every dollar in exports they produce – an obstacle to development and increased investment at the plant – Gil Fernández stated that this situation will be submitted to a thorough review.

Regarding outstanding accounts payable and receivable, an ongoing problem in the province, the conclusion was drawn that all of the causes are subjective, and that their resolution depends on managers and the steps they take to confront this predicament. The President insisted, “Money that belongs to others must be paid immediately:”

During another moment, Inés María Chapman, a vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, referred to the work of the province’s Physical Planning Department, directing staff to adopt measures to speed up processing times, since 222 cases are currently overdue, also noting problems in the training of personnel and “very poor working conditions,” especially at the municipal level, she said.

Other sensitive issues did not escape attention during the discussion, including delays in investment projects at the Ciro Redondo Sugar Mill’s bioelectric plant, the East-Central Water Diversion Canal, and in the production of construction materials; the repair of water pipelines and sewer systems; and the poor condition of elevators in the city’s 12-story apartment building.

(Granma)

In Cayo Coco, he received a detailed explanation from Sergio Ramón Ricaño Pérez, government representative in charge of the development program focused on the barrier islands north of Villa Clara, Ciego de Ávila, and Camagüey, where according to plans, 69,926 hotel rooms for international tourists will eventually be available.

Ricaño reported that in the case of Cayo Santa María, north of Villa Clara, the construction program “is reaching its conclusion.” With 13,084 rooms planned here, 10,572 are already in use.

Díaz-Canel asked Iyolexis Correa Lorenzo, representative for the Ministry of Tourism in Ciego de Ávila, about preparations for the coming high season, set to begin November 15. She explained that work is underway to ready 900 rooms; to review plans with suppliers; train workers with a view toward raising the quality of service; and consolidate management of investment projects to ensure that works are finished on time.

After the introduction, Díaz-Canel and his delegation which included Félix Duarte Ortega, Central Committee member and Party secretary in the province, several ministers, and vice presidents, proceeded to Cayo Guillermo to visit the hotel Pilar I (a five star-plus facility with 245 rooms) which is in the final stage of construction, set to conclude next month.

The group’s itinerary included the Turiguanó Genetic Enterprise, with the country’s largest herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle – the second largest in Latin America – which suffered major damage during Hurricane Irma last year, when the eye of the storm passed over the area and devastating winds hit facilities. The staff has been immersed in an extensive recovery plan to continue their work to genetically improve this cattle breed, raise purebred bulls, and produce meat, to be sold primarily to the country’s tourist resorts to reduce imports.

The visit continued to inspect fruit processing lines at the Ceballos Agro-industrial Enterprise, praised by Díaz-Canel in the month of May, when he noted the company’s efforts to create a closed production cycle, from fields to the processing plant.

Plant manager Rodolfo Morales Pérez reported that an investment project was begun in 2000, initially directed toward increasing reception capacity, juice and puree production, evaporation capacity, aseptic handling, and packaging for natural juices and tropical fruit purees.

In addition to these improvements, lines devoted to preparing canned tomato paste and fruit purees were expanded, allowing for increased efficiency since higher volumes of fruit can be handled in less time – a much needed step given the growth of agricultural production in the area.

Described by specialists as one of the best organized investment projects in the province’s agricultural sector, the company’s plans include the acquisition of clean technology to achieve more rational and efficient use of energy.

The President’s delegation also visited the Cubasoy Agro-industrial Enterprise, one of the largest in the country with more than 15,000 hectares under cultivation – principally corn, beans, and soy, a reality that has implied the need diversify production.

He spoke with leaders at La Cuba production site, calling on them to prepare a market study as soon as possible, to expand exports, as established in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment’s agreement 352/2017, saying, “This is the image of development we want in agriculture,” visibly pleased by the efforts of workers and management at this productive emporium.

The President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Minister returned to Ciego de Ávila just two months after a working visit to review progress being made in the Turquino-Bamburanao rural development plan, and the municipality of Florencia, where he evaluated damage caused by subtropical storm Alberto.

(Granma)

The tour began at the port terminal, of central importance to the economy, which is in need of investment to improve its operations and efficiency.

Also participating were First Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa, several ministers and deputy ministers, as well as Yanina de la Nuez Aclich, who reported that 113 persons were evacuated in the province, and that thus far three homes have been identified as totally destroyed.

The President insisted on the urgency of addressing drainage problems in the municipality, saying, “We must put ourselves in the place of residents and confront the problem with sensitivity.”

(Granma)